Wrongly Accused

by Erin Wade

  “Absolutely!”

  “Meet in the lobby at six?” Java suggested.

  “That’s perfect.”

  Val showered and put on the only dress she had brought for the seminar. She was pleased with her reflection in the mirror. She was looking forward to dinner with Java. She liked the straightforward woman.

  Java was waiting for her in the lobby and rushed to meet her when the elevator doors opened. “I made reservations at a really nice restaurant I’d like to share with you. I hope you don’t mind. Everyone from the seminar is dining in this hotel’s restaurants.”

  “I think that’s perfect,” Val said, smiling. “I’m sure it will be quieter, and we’ll be less likely to be interrupted.”

  “I had the valet pull my car around,” Java said as they exited the hotel and headed toward a powder-blue Maserati GranTurismo.

  “Whoa!” Val started to have second thoughts. If Java could afford a car like that, she was getting money from somewhere other than her law enforcement paycheck.

  “All part of my mystique.” Java laughed as she fastened her seatbelt and patted the car’s leather dashboard. “Posing as an undercover drug dealer does have some perks.”

  Val forced herself to relax and thought about the best way to explain her problem to Java. She decided to wait until they had ordered dinner and could talk without being interrupted.

  Over a pleasant meal Val told Java everything she had uncovered on VitaMaxPro. “In short, US prisoners are being fed dog food to cut costs so greedy politicians and plutocrats can line their pockets.”

  Java scrutinized Val for a minute. “You have proof of everything you just told me?”

  “Yes. I wouldn’t bring you such a story without proof. I even have photos of the VitaMaxPro being used in the kitchens of several of the area prisons I visited.”

  “Will you testify against your boss?” Java asked.

  Val sighed. “I must. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t. I’ll probably lose my job over this.”

  “Maybe not.” Java patted her hand. “I’ll run this investigation, and I can be very discreet.”

  For the first time since Dawn Fairchild had entered her life, Val was drawn to another woman.

  “Can you bring all the documents and photos you’ve collected to my office tomorrow?” Java wrote her personal number on the back of her business card. “I’d like to go over everything with you.”

  Val nodded and scribbled on a cocktail napkin. “This is the date, time, and station of a documentary about my prison. If you have nothing better to do, please watch it.”

  “I will,” Java promised as they paid their checks.

  Chapter 36

  Dawn fell onto her back. She inhaled deeply, trying to catch her breath and return her heart rate to normal. Niki snuggled further into her and kissed the side of her breast.

  “You’re the lover I never dreamed of,” Niki whispered, “because I never knew such love and gentleness existed.”

  “Neither did I.” Dawn stroked her back. “I never considered a woman. I had decided that sex with a man was something I’d just have to tolerate. It left me cold and unsatisfied. I didn’t enjoy it.”

  “And now?” Niki giggled.

  “You know I love it. I can’t get enough of you. I—” Soft lips cut off her sentence

  “I feel the same way, but right now I’m starving. Take me out to dinner.”

  “May I take a raincheck for tomorrow night?” Dawn asked. “There’s a show I want you to watch at eight. We could order in Chinese.”

  “You know how I love Chinese takeout,” Niki said. “I’ll order. You find your TV station.”

  Dawn set up TV trays and was ready when the deliveryman arrived. Niki carried iced tea to the living room as Dawn served the Chinese food. They settled on the sofa, and Dawn grabbed the remote. “I’ve been recording it so we didn’t miss anything,” she said, barely able to contain her excitement.

  The show host introduced himself and his guest, Warden Valerie Davis. They talked about FMC Carswell and the changes Val had orchestrated there.

  “One of our most exciting accomplishments is our medical facilities,” Val said, praising Dr. Lance Reynolds and Dr. Dawn Fairchild.

  Niki watched, spellbound, as the documentary played. When the station cut to a commercial, she turned to Dawn. “That was incredible. I cried when you discovered the hole in her heart. Your words stopped my own heart for a few seconds.”

  Dawn sighed. “I almost cried too.”

  “Warden Davis, we have a surprise for you tonight,” the news personality continued. “Your top boss, the US Attorney General Wendy Day, is here.”

  Niki laughed out loud. “Seriously? The top lawyer in America is named Wendy Day?”

  Dawn put her arm around Niki’s shoulders and pulled her close. “This should be interesting. I can tell by the look on Val’s face she’s surprised.”

  Standing five feet, three inches tall, Wendy Day gave a whole new meaning to the Napoleon complex. Her short-cropped brown hair and hard-set jaw gave her the appearance of a bulldog.

  “Attorney General Day, thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to make a rare television appearance tonight.” The show host’s eyes gleamed. He knew he had pulled off a coup.

  “Thank you for having me,” Day said. “I wanted to congratulate Warden Davis on setting the gold standard for all our prisons and providing an example for all wardens across the nation.”

  “Thank you,” Val said.

  Day moved so she was facing directly into the cameras and began delivering her prepared speech in the shotgun staccato voice that made her easy prey for late-night comedians. “The documentary you have just watched exemplifies what can be achieved when a warden takes a hands-on approach to a problem.

  “The rehabilitation of a prisoner—from serving time for manslaughter to becoming a dedicated surgeon capable of performing open-heart surgery needed by an inmate—is nothing short of a miracle. Dr. Dawn Fairchild’s transformation is one of the shining examples of what the federal prison system is capable of doing.”

  “What the hell?” Dawn jumped up from the sofa, screeching like a banshee. “Is she as stupid as she looks or just doesn’t give a damn?”

  Niki quieted her lover. “Shh. I want to hear how your mentor responds to this.”

  Val cleared her throat twice before her voice cooperated. “Dr. Fairchild was an outstanding surgeon before—”

  “It gives me great pleasure to present the US Attorney General’s Award of Excellence to Warden Valerie Davis,” Day continued to bark. “I’m certain Warden Davis has what it takes to go straight to the top.”

  “My ability to perform Clarissa’s surgery had nothing to do with that crummy prison,” Dawn raved to Niki. “If not for you, I would have died my first week there.

  “She’s ruined my name. No hospital in the world will hire a doctor convicted of manslaughter. She didn’t even have the decency to say vehicular manslaughter.”

  “Listen. Val’s talking,” Niki pointed out. “Maybe she’ll straighten out this fiasco.”

  “Thank you, Attorney General Day. I’m extremely honored to be selected for this award.”

  The show cut to a commercial as Day and Val shook hands.

  Dawn wanted to scream, to break things, to choke Valerie Davis. “What a lowlife,” she growled. “Her lies put me into that hellhole in the first place, and now she takes credit for my skills as a surgeon. Warden Davis is a real piece of work.”

  “Honey, calm down,” Niki said. “Your nightmare is almost over. A few more months and you’ll be a free woman. Then we can really start our lives together.”

  “Doing what?” Dawn demanded. “She ruined my career with her worldwide telecast of Warden Davis, Wonder Woman. I won’t even be able to practice in a veterinarian’s office.”

  “Honey, anyone watching that documentary will know what a competent surgeon you are,” Niki reasoned. “Any hospital would be
thrilled to have you on their staff.”

  Niki turned off the TV and led Dawn to their bedroom. “Why don’t we take a nice hot shower and forget about Warden Davis? Don’t let her ruin the little bit of time we have together.”

  Although showering with Niki was nice, Dawn couldn’t get her mind off what Val had done to her. I can’t wait to get that woman out of my life, she thought. She relaxed as Niki lathered her with fragrant bath soap.

  “Is that a new brand?” she asked.

  “It is.” Niki lathered between her breasts. “Vanilla Kisses. Do you like it?”

  “Very much.” Dawn leaned down for a kiss as she took the soap from Niki’s hand. “My turn to do you.”

  They laughed covering each other with soap foam and rinsing it from their bodies. Dawn dried Niki and Niki returned the favor.

  They slipped into bed and snuggled into each other. “Don’t forget, it’s your turn to do me,” Niki said.

  ##

  Val waited until Sunday morning to call Dawn, but she didn’t answer the phone. She had to talk to her. She had to explain what had happened. Dawn had to know Val had been blindsided by the appearance of the Attorney General at the showing of the documentary.

  After they were off the air, Wendy Day had informed Valerie that she was being considered for the position of Regional Director over the South-Central Region, having jurisdiction over Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The promotion meant more money than Val had ever dreamed of, but she knew she could truly implement more humane treatment of prisoners as the regional director. Any sacrifices made would be for the greater good, she told herself.

  She tried to call Dawn again but received no answer. I’ll catch her this afternoon when she reports back to the prison. Maybe take her to dinner, she thought.

  ##

  Sunday with Niki had been relaxing and sweet. Dawn had helped the redhead study for her first physiology exam. “This stuff is really hard,” Niki had whined as she tried to seduce Dawn.

  But she hadn’t fooled Dawn. The doctor was amazed at the intelligence of the other woman and her grasp of the human anatomy.

  Niki faded from Dawn’s thoughts as her taxi pulled up to the prison gate. Dawn showed the guard her weekend pass, and he waved them through.

  “I saw you on TV Friday night,” the cab driver said as they approached the hospital. “You’re really impressive.”

  “Thank you,” Dawn mumbled as her anger at Val rushed back.

  “I figured you were a civilian working here. I never dreamed a woman like you would be a prisoner.”

  “Neither did I,” Dawn huffed as she paid the driver and got out of the car.

  Val was in the hospital lobby waiting for Dawn when she arrived. The look in Dawn’s eyes made her cringe. It was the same look Dawn had flashed at her at the end of her trial.

  “Dawn, I need to explain,” Val said as the doctor signed in at the guard desk.

  “I can’t talk right now.” Dawn choked back her anger. “Just let me cool off first and get a good night’s sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”

  Val nodded as she watched Dawn disappear into the elevator.

  Chapter 37

  Val paced the floor. She knew she had sacrificed Dawn for her career. She’d made a half-hearted attempt to correct the Attorney General but was so busy basking in the limelight that she failed to consider the cost to Dawn.

  Beautiful women like Dawn always landed on their feet. She’ll be okay, Val reasoned. I’ll only get one shot at the promotion I’ve dreamed of.

  Besides, the little voice that wasn’t a conscience whispered, she can always work here at the prison hospital and be with you.

  Sometime after two a.m., Val climbed into bed and tried to sleep. I’ll talk to her tomorrow. I’ll find a way to make it right.

  ##

  “Good morning,” Lance said, greeting Dawn with a smile. “That was an incredible documentary the warden had on television Friday night.”

  The icy glare Dawn shot at him silenced any further conversation. She made her morning rounds and was finishing her notes on patients’ computer files when the head nurse signaled her for a phone call.

  She took the handset from the nurse. “Dr. Fairchild.”

  “Dawn, may I see you in my office?” Val asked.

  “When?”

  “Now, if possible.”

  “Ten minutes. I need to see one more patient.”

  “Of course.”

  Ten minutes seemed to take an hour to pass. Then a knock on Val’s door made her jump. “Come in.”

  “You wanted to see me?” Dawn stood in the doorway.

  God, she’s the original ice queen, Val thought as she motioned for Dawn to sit in the chair across from hers. She poured coffee for them and leaned back in her chair.

  “Dawn, I know I messed up.” Val bowed her head. “How can I make this up to you?”

  Dawn glared at her. “Get me an early release. Get me out of this prison that you have changed single-handedly.”

  “I . . . I know the hospital has improved solely because of you and Lance. I know it was you who pushed for decent food for the inmates. I know you and Niki were the catalysts for cleaning up the corruption in this prison. I know—”

  “In short,” Dawn said, “someone else was responsible for most of the things you took credit for on TV Friday night.”

  “I . . . you don’t understand,” Val wailed. “The attorney general all but told me I will soon get my dream job. The job I have worked for all my life.”

  “What about me, Val? Do you know how difficult it is for a woman to make it through med school and work her way up to chief of staff?”

  “I have some idea.”

  “Then you know that you destroyed my reputation and my career when you pretended on national TV to have rehabilitated me. You and the attorney general acted as if you were turning out prize surgeons. This place has nothing to do with my abilities as a surgeon. If anything, this place would destroy me if I’d let it.”

  “Dawn, please, just complete your sentence and be cooperative. My promotion depends on it.”

  “It’s not like I have a choice.” Dawn stormed out of the office.

  She didn’t touch her coffee, Val thought as she carried their cups to the sideboard. God, she’s hot when she’s mad. And dammit, I’m in love with her.

  ##

  As usual, they met every morning and Dawn gave Val a report on how the hospital was doing.

  “I set two broken arms last week and a broken thumb. Did everything I could for a woman whose eye was gouged out over a pack of cigarettes. All women will leave this place in worse shape than when they arrived here. Your rehabilitation program is on track, Warden.”

  “Dawn, you know I’m trying. My self-defense program has cut prisoner-on-prisoner crime by a fourth. Eventually I hope to have a prison where violence among inmates is negligible.”

  Dawn snorted as she stood. “That makes me feel safe outside the hospital. I know I can count on you to have my back. I just have to get your knife out of it first.”

  Val charged around her desk. “That’s not fair. You know I wouldn’t let anything happen to you. I . . . I love—”

  Before she knew what she was doing, Val grasped Dawn’s shoulders and kissed her.

  Kissing Dawn wasn’t at all like she had dreamed. In her fantasies, Dawn melted into her arms and parted her lips, slowly running her tongue along Val’s lip before slipping it into her mouth to engage her tongue. This wasn’t at all as she had imagined. Dawn didn’t kiss her back. Instead, she stiffened and pulled away.

  “I think you just committed a felony, Warden. One that carries an automatic two-year prison sentence.”

  Val stared in silence as Dawn slammed the door behind her. Dear God, what have I done?

  Chapter 38

  Val’s usual calm façade was crumbling. She couldn’t sleep or eat. She couldn’t stop thinking about Dawn Fairchild—a woman who obviously hated her. Val knew her c
arefully constructed world was unraveling, and she didn’t know how to stop it.

  She watched out the window as the taxi picked up the blonde doctor and took her out of Val’s world for the weekend. She had her dinner served in her quarters and fretted over resolving her issues with Dawn.

  A cold, hard knot formed in the pit of Val’s stomach as she realized that Dawn Fairchild wasn’t a lesbian. She slammed the palm of her hand against her forehead. What a fool I am. Dawn had just broken a two-year engagement with her boyfriend when the accident occurred. No self-respecting lesbian would tolerate a man for two years.

  What made me think she was a lesbian? Val wondered. I never saw any evidence of it. She is just a sweet, girl-next-door, beautiful woman. She never made any inappropriate moves when we were together. Dawn is a regular straight woman. Just because she’s in prison doesn’t mean she’s a lesbian.

  Jesus, she must think I’m an animal. I must make this right.

  ##

  As always, Niki was waiting on the front porch when Dawn arrived. She was beside Dawn before the cab pulled away from the curb. Dawn slipped her arm around Niki’s shoulders, and they walked inside clinging to each other. “I love your jeans,” Niki ran her fingers along the waistband.

  “The warden is allowing me to wear civilian clothes when I leave the prison,” Dawn said. “I’m glad you like them.”

  Dawn closed the door and locked it. “I’ve missed you so much,” she murmured as she pulled Niki into her arms. Niki tilted her head for Dawn’s kiss. It was a sweet, tender kiss, as Dawn moved her soft lips slowly against Niki’s. “You taste like honey,” she whispered.

  “Do you need anything?” Niki asked.

  “Just you,” Dawn said, her voice breaking. “Just you, Niki.”

  Asking no questions, Niki led her lover to their bedroom. “Mmm. You smell good,” she mumbled as she slipped Dawn’s blouse off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor.

  Niki unzipped Dawn’s jeans as she kissed the valley between her breasts. “You’re so beautiful,” she murmured as she paid homage to Dawn’s perfect breasts. “So soft and smooth.” Dawn’s jeans pooled around her feet as she pulled Niki’s sweater over her head and tangled her hands in the glorious shades of red.